Summary

Nia DaCosta, director of The Marvels, expressed reservations about the explanation of incursions in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Within the MCU, incursions are caused by multiverse travel and significant alterations made during these travels. The Marvels introduces the concept of bangles that, when combined with other powers, can create temporary holes in space and time, allowing travel to alternate locations.

Marvel sequel Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness brought a fresh wave of content into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, expanding its canon in intriguing ways. One particular addition is the notion of incursions, a concept previously unexplored in the MCU. Incursions involve the erosion of boundaries between universes, leading them to collide. Nia DaCosta, the director of The Marvels, has recently expressed reservations about the explanation provided for incursions in the sequel.

In an interview featured in Total Film magazine, DaCosta labeled the incursion explanation presented by John Krasinski’s portrayal of Reed Richards as “stressful” saying that the way this element was introduced “was always very stressful to me.” Within the MCU context, incursions are attributed to the consequences of multiverse travel coupled with substantial alterations made during such journeys.

In contrast, Marvel Comics’ portrayal of incursions stems from the machinations of the Beyonders, cosmic entities residing outside the Multiverse. These beings orchestrated incursions by implanting an entity called Molecule Man in each universe, with the entity’s demise serving as the catalyst for the events.

Continuing, Nia DaCosta assured fans that she is “deeply devoted” to the lore as it’s portrayed in the pages of Marvel Comics.

“Here’s what I will say about that, which in the comics is called the Universal Weapon. I would just say, for anyone watching this film, or having expectations, just know that I am deeply devoted to the comics. And so, there’s always clues there.”

RELATED: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: What is an Incursion?

The Marvels’ Link to Avengers: Kang Dynasty & Secret Wars
Marvel Studios

“In Marvel Studios’ The Marvels, Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence,” the official synopsis for The Marvels reads. “But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau. Together, this unlikely trio must team up to learn to work in concert to save the universe as The Marvels.”

Kamala Khan’s character underwent a transformative journey that diverged from her original comic book roots.The source of her superpowers took a new form with the powerful bangles she wore. In the interview with Total Film, DaCosta teased the involvement of Dar-Benn, the movie’s primary antagonist, who is poised to acquire a sister bangle, mirroring Kamala’s own. Producer Mary Livanos further elaborated on the bangles’ capabilities, explaining how their combination with other powers can temporarily rupture space and time, enabling travel to alternate locations. This narrative element establishes a solid foundation for potential development in Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Secret Wars.

“In Ms. Marvel, we learned that the bangle, paired with some other form of power, can force a temporary hole in space and time to lead to somewhere else. With the power of both bangles, more is definitely possible. And we see the culmination of that over the course of this movie. It definitely leads to plentiful opportunities for the future of the MCU, whatever the Avengers and Secret Wars teams may want to do with them.”

The cast for the film includes Brie Larson portraying Carol Danvers, also known as Captain Marvel. Iman Vellani takes on the role of Kamala Khan, while Teyonah Parris embodies Monica Rambeau. Zawe Ashton portrays Dar-Benn, and Samuel L. Jackson reprises his iconic character, Nick Fury. Familiar faces returning from the Ms. Marvel series include Saagar Shaikh, Zenobia Shroff, and Mohan Kapur. Additionally, the film features Lashana Lynch, Park Seo-joon, Randall Park, Shamier Anderson, Abraham Popoola, Ffion Jolly, Caroline Simonnet, and Jessica Zhou.

The Marvels is scheduled to hit theaters on November 10, 2023.